e.l.f.'s Studio Lip Exfoliator certainly does what it's supposed to—slough off dead skin to reveal smoother lips—but it doesn't do it gently!

This sugar-based exfoliator comes in a lipstick-like tube, and when you first use it, it feels like a comfortable mixture of a balm and a scrub. But, after only a couple of uses, the balm-like "coating" wears off, and you're left with a product that feels quite abrasive! Studio Lip Exfoliator is also hard, breaking off and crumbling the more you use it, wasting product and creating a mess.

This also contains fragrance, and even though Studio Lip Exfoliator is a product that's meant to be wiped off the lips, the taste lingers, encouraging licking, which is even worse for dry, chapped lips. In the end, you're better off using a warm washcloth or baby's toothbrush to exfoliate your lips.

Pros:

None. (OK, the price is great, but a bad product is a bad product ,no matter how high or low the cost.)

Cons:

Once the balm-like coating wears off, the exfoliator is very abrasive.

Product breaks off and crumbles with continued use.

Imparts a lingering fragrance, which can encourage lip-licking, leading to drier lips.

Claims

Ingredients

Brand Overview

e.l.f. At-A-Glance

Strengths: Bonafide beauty bargain prices; several praiseworthy makeup products including the powder blush, bronzer, and eyeshadows; some great face powders; oil-blotting papers are a steal; excellent brushes in the Studio line; a few good, inexpensive skincare products.

Weaknesses: Mostly average to poor skincare formulas; a multitude of terrible concealers; limited options for foundation; average to not-worth-it-at-any-price eyeliners (with the exception of one); some of the skincare products aren't on par with better formulated options that cost a bit more.

From a line of cosmetics whose claim to fame is its rock-bottom prices we weren't expecting much. With many of the makeup products selling for just $1, could there be any outstanding finds to rival the best options from drugstores and department stores? Surprisingly, the answer is yes. Yet although that's good news, the entire picture isn't so rosy, and many of the products from e.l.f. (which stands for Eyes, Lips, Face) are as basic as can be, while a few are resounding disappointments we wouldn't even give away.

e.l.f. was founded by Scott Vincent Borba—the same businessman responsible for the Borba "beauty waters" once sold at Sephora boutiques—and Joseph Shamah. The story goes that one day Borba was shopping in an unnamed "dollar store" (where everything sells for a dollar) and noticed women dressed in designer clothing and sporting designer handbags loading up their baskets with inexpensive nail polish, eye pencils, and lip balm. He took note of the products being sold in such stores and quickly decided he could offer products of even higher quality at the same competitive price. His idea paid off, as e.l.f. has enjoyed continued success and increased distribution online and in retail stores like Target.

As you might expect, not everything in the e.l.f. line is great. When you're offering almost every product for $1 (OK, there's plenty for $3 and $5, too), they're not going to be nearly as luxurious or innovative as the company proclaims (most of the ingredient lists couldn't be more basic and the packaging is sometimes slipshod). Many e.l.f. items have packaging that, while functional, can only be described as cheap. In terms of value, yes, almost everything is inexpensive, but in most cases the container sizes are much smaller than the norm. Still, if you're considering spending a few dollars on fun, occasional-use colors, size becomes much less of an issue.

This line can be found at select Target stores and some regional drugstores, but the best place to experience the collection is online (none of the stores provide testers). The cheaper elements are a given based on the price point e.l.f. has established, but overall you're likely to be impressed with what they developed for so little money, and you may just find some beauty bargains (especially makeup brushes) that raise the bar—at least to a height that's taller than your average elf!

The new Beautypedia Team proudly and unequivocally maintains the commitment to help you find the best products possible for your skin. We do this by relentlessly pursuing and relying on published scientific research so you will have unbiased information on what works and what doesn't-and the sneaky ways you could be making your skin worse, not better!

The Beautypedia Team reviews all products using the same research, criteria, and objectivity, whether the product being reviewed is from Paula's Choice or another brand.

I must say I do not agree with PC's review, I personally LOVE this product and I haven't been able to find a substitute. For the price, you just can't beat it ;) also, do whatever makes you happy, who cares what Paula's choice says? If a particular products works well on you, go ahead and use it! I have seen a lot of products reviewed badly on this website and on the book (i even own the Paula book! Lol) that actually work very well on me! But I guess I'm a stubborn one, i'm like "IDC!" :)

Results

Value

Recommend

Reviewed by

Windy

07.27.2015

Beautypedia Team Response

Hi there! Thanks for your feedback. Also, The Paula’s Choice Research Team no longer reviews products for Beautypedia, and while The Beautypedia Team is still a part of Paula’s Choice Skincare, what’s new—and you may not yet have known—is that now we have two teams working independently to bring you the best quality reviews, products, and research-supported expert advice you know and love. One team is dedicated to Beautypedia and product reviews from other brands; the other is dedicated to Paula’s Choice skincare and its unique combination of expertly formulated products and advice on a wide range of beauty-related topics.

—Admin

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04.28.2015

Great Exfoliation

It is true that after a few uses, the balm part of the lipstick wears off, but that is to be expected, considering the formula. I just apply lip balm before I use it. There really is no other comparable product that will exfoliate as well, and definitely not at this price.

Recommend

Value

Results

Reviewed by

Katie

10.25.2014

Poor? Really?

I am confused by the poor rating. This is great for a person with very dry flaky lips like myself. It is the only portable lip exfoliator I have found for a good price. If you don't wipe if off it is also very moisturizing (the beads kind of fall off, not many even stick to the lips). For someone with a persistant dry lip and empty wallet problem I am very pleased with this product.
The smell is unappealing in my opinion, though most lipsticks are. Not for sensitive lips, I guess.

Results

Value

Recommend

Reviewed by

Bunny B

10.05.2014

Love the applicator of this

I really love this lip exfoliators. I love the lipstick tube it comes in as it's so convenient to apply. Has a nice sweet taste and really exfoliates.
The downside is that I feel like you could go through this pretty quickly and although it's only $3 it does add up if you're using it a lot. I made my own to use bedside at night and use the ELF one before makeup application.

Results

Value

Recommend

Reviewed by

Anonymous

09.11.2014

Not TOO Rough!

This product is abrasive-- but it's supposed to be! It's meant to be used on damp lips so that the dead skin is soft enough to be rubbed off without harming them! I've tried a lot of lip scrubs (even Bliss), and this is my favourite. The lipstick tube is so convenient and you can't beat the price. The smell reminds me of brown sugar and this product has made my lips more full and moist than ever before (after you apply lip balm afterwards). I recommend using a moist cotton pad to wipe off.

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